ArtistDirect News
Melissa Etheridge and Wynonna Judd Co-Headlining Raised on Radio Tour Begins June 24, 2026
When rock icon Melissa Etheridge and country legend Wynonna Judd announced a joint tour, the music world watched a cross‑genre partnership that promises to be as emotionally resonant as it is logistically complex. The 27‑date Raised on Radio Tour kicks off on June 24, 2026, in San Diego and will wind down in September in Seattle. Along the way, the duo will share the stage in cities ranging from Atlanta to Reno, add a symphony performance at a mid‑west venue, and host a stand‑alone concert for Judd at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island.
The tour was revealed on March 9, 2026, by the artists’ management teams. The schedule targets major markets such as Atlanta, Reno, and Seattle, and the pair will perform together at every stop. The name “Raised on Radio” stems from a childhood habit both singers cited in a recent interview: listening to the airwaves for hours, a ritual that shaped their musical sensibilities.
In a March 2026 interview with ABC News’ Nightline, Etheridge described the partnership as “almost impossible” to coordinate, noting that “they don’t know how hard it is to coordinate two artists to get together and do something.” Judd echoed the sentiment, saying, “We were all raised on radio.” The two also highlighted how listeners from the 1980s and 1990s feel a deep emotional connection when hearing those songs performed live.
Both artists have faced personal tragedy, and they say music has been a conduit for healing. Etheridge, who publicly came out in 1993, has spoken openly about the devastating loss of her son, Beckett Cypher, who died in 2020 at age 21. She has said that “the best thing you can do for your child, or for the memory of that child, is to take care of yourself, to find your joy.” Judd has shared the pain of losing her mother and musical partner, Naomi Judd, who died by suicide in 2022. She added that “losing a child is devastating. There’s not even a word for it in the English language.” Their stories underscore how both use performance as a means of processing grief.
Etheridge’s career began with the 1988 self‑titled debut, which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200. She earned her first Grammy nomination in 1989 and won her first award in 1992 for “Ain’t It Heavy.” The 1993 album Yes I Am featured the hits “I’m the Only One” and “If I Wanted To,” stayed 138 weeks on the Billboard 200, and achieved 6× Platinum certification. To date, she has released 17 studio albums, with Rise arriving in 2026.
Judd first rose to fame as part of The Judds, a duo that captured five Grammy Awards and nine Country Music Association awards. After the partnership dissolved in 1991, she launched a solo career that produced 19 No. 1 singles. In 2022, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as a member of The Judds.
The Raised on Radio Tour stands out for uniting two veteran artists from distinct genres—rock and country—into a single summer run. The collaboration reflects a broader trend of cross‑genre partnerships in live music, offering audiences a blend of familiar hits and shared storytelling. Ticket sales have already begun, with venues reporting strong demand in markets such as Atlanta and San Diego. As the tour progresses, both Etheridge and Judd are set to deliver performances that fuse nostalgia with personal reflection, illustrating how artists can navigate logistical challenges while honoring their individual histories and shared experiences.
The tour will conclude in September 2026, with the final show marking the end of a summer that could shape the live‑performance landscape for veteran artists. Industry observers and fans alike will watch to see how this collaboration influences future cross‑genre endeavors.
The tour was revealed on March 9, 2026, by the artists’ management teams. The schedule targets major markets such as Atlanta, Reno, and Seattle, and the pair will perform together at every stop. The name “Raised on Radio” stems from a childhood habit both singers cited in a recent interview: listening to the airwaves for hours, a ritual that shaped their musical sensibilities.
In a March 2026 interview with ABC News’ Nightline, Etheridge described the partnership as “almost impossible” to coordinate, noting that “they don’t know how hard it is to coordinate two artists to get together and do something.” Judd echoed the sentiment, saying, “We were all raised on radio.” The two also highlighted how listeners from the 1980s and 1990s feel a deep emotional connection when hearing those songs performed live.
Both artists have faced personal tragedy, and they say music has been a conduit for healing. Etheridge, who publicly came out in 1993, has spoken openly about the devastating loss of her son, Beckett Cypher, who died in 2020 at age 21. She has said that “the best thing you can do for your child, or for the memory of that child, is to take care of yourself, to find your joy.” Judd has shared the pain of losing her mother and musical partner, Naomi Judd, who died by suicide in 2022. She added that “losing a child is devastating. There’s not even a word for it in the English language.” Their stories underscore how both use performance as a means of processing grief.
Etheridge’s career began with the 1988 self‑titled debut, which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200. She earned her first Grammy nomination in 1989 and won her first award in 1992 for “Ain’t It Heavy.” The 1993 album Yes I Am featured the hits “I’m the Only One” and “If I Wanted To,” stayed 138 weeks on the Billboard 200, and achieved 6× Platinum certification. To date, she has released 17 studio albums, with Rise arriving in 2026.
Judd first rose to fame as part of The Judds, a duo that captured five Grammy Awards and nine Country Music Association awards. After the partnership dissolved in 1991, she launched a solo career that produced 19 No. 1 singles. In 2022, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as a member of The Judds.
The Raised on Radio Tour stands out for uniting two veteran artists from distinct genres—rock and country—into a single summer run. The collaboration reflects a broader trend of cross‑genre partnerships in live music, offering audiences a blend of familiar hits and shared storytelling. Ticket sales have already begun, with venues reporting strong demand in markets such as Atlanta and San Diego. As the tour progresses, both Etheridge and Judd are set to deliver performances that fuse nostalgia with personal reflection, illustrating how artists can navigate logistical challenges while honoring their individual histories and shared experiences.
The tour will conclude in September 2026, with the final show marking the end of a summer that could shape the live‑performance landscape for veteran artists. Industry observers and fans alike will watch to see how this collaboration influences future cross‑genre endeavors.